Marine Research Centre, Bali, Indonesia

Fluid concept for Bali beaches

We can combine function and form to produce buildings that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The conceptual drawing phase is an opportunity to make changes to form and function to improve on the design. I like the building, and look forward to further developments!

14/01/12
S.Shah, Ahmedabad

How is this building going to withstand the tsunami currents??? Because tsunami's and earthquakes occur near Bali often

22/12/10
Walter Benjamin, Palermo

Nowhere is the liquid form more relevant than on this site.

26/10/10
j.diver, San Diego, CA

You all are so right! An ugly, featureless, rectangle box with no flair, built on land far from the ocean would be the perfect structure for a Marine Research Center... they can call it a brick shit house, so everyone will be happy... ya right!

22/10/10
widi, Bali

Bali is very strong with the rules of the form of buildings, I don't see any design related to the culture of Bali, I'm sure hard to be accepted. Especialy from the people in Bali. Please do not ruin..

20/10/10
Bashar Al Shawa, Sharjah, UAE

There are several things that I dont get in this project. Why did they make it 150 meters off shore? Adapts to its natural aquatic environment? How? Like it changes its shape every now and then to suit the wave that is hitting it? There is a lot of stuff written about how they studied the wave dynamics, and then some wave forces, that when translated to linear patterns, make up this form. Am not sure if they did actually study that, but what makes them think that a form of a building like that should be derived from "wave force patterns". I dont see how that concept can add anything tangible to the building.

A recent international design competition for a Marine Research Centre in Bali Indonesia gave firm solus4 an opportunity to study and architecturally interpret the structure of tsunami waves. The competition, co-sponsored by Arquitectum and Universitas Pelita Harapan in Indonesia, sought to address the need for tsunami research and preparation in response to the devastation caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Concept designs show the 2,500 sq m Marine Research Center located 150 metres off the of shoreline of Kuta beach, Bali. It is an imposing fluid structure that adapts to its natural aquatic environment and allows visitors and scientists alike to have a direct visual connection to the exterior. The programme which consists of research labs, bedrooms for scientist, seawater pool, aquatic garden library and an auditorium would be distributed under and over the surface of the sea.

The solus4 design team sought to understand the wave dynamics and the resulting wave force patterns that are generated as tsunami waves are created and radiate out from an epicentre. The wave forces, when translated to linear patterns, inform the shapes that are integrated into the building form and result in patterns that seem to be borne of the sea. Building forms are then used to respond to the programmatic requirements of the facility for both onboard scientists and the interested visitor. In keeping with the nature of the universal ocean, the project is intended to be wholly energy efficient. Large glass-based panels form the skin - both transparent and opaque as well as embedded PV cells.

The close in to shore location allows for tidal/current generators to serve the power requirements. Rainwater collection and seawater conversion systems take care of the domestic water requirements. Deeper source seawater is circulated through the skin for radiant cooling and temperature control of the overall anthropomorphic shape. The unique shapes and programmatic requirements would serve as an icon for scientific study and tourism in this location.